Carlos Beltran Survives 1B Debut As Yankees Scramble To Fill Holes

Carlos Beltran of the New York Yankees picks up his hat and glove before taking over at first base against the Boston Red Sox on April 13, 2014. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)Carlos Beltran of the New York Yankees picks up his hat and glove before taking over at first base against the Boston Red Sox on April 13, 2014. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Who’s on first?

It’s complicated for the New York Yankees.

First it was starter Mark Teixeira. Then Kelly Johnson took over when Tex landed on the disabled list. Backup catcher — yes, backup catcher — Francisco Cervelli made his first career start at the position last week, and was in the lineup at first base again Sunday against the Red Sox with Johnson at third base to cover for Yangervis Solarte, who shifted to second base when Brian Roberts was scratched with a sore back.

Things really got interesting against Boston when Cervelli went down in the fourth inning with a hamstring injury. The Yankees had to go with option No. 4 to start the next frame — outfielder Carlos Beltran.

“We have to do what it takes,” Beltran said after Sunday’s 3-2 win. “I hope I don’t have to do it again.”

It was the 17-year veteran’s first-ever appearance at first base.

“Please, God, hit it somewhere else,” said Beltran, whose prayers were answered as no balls were batted his way.

Ichiro Suzuki was apparently also an option, not that the outfielder would have been thrilled about a move to first. Instead he took over for Beltran in right field.

“If (manager Joe Girardi) said to go to first, I might have told him I have a hurt leg,” Ichiro said, according to the team’s official website.

Things almost went even more off the rails when catcher Brian McCann was hit in his right hand by a deflected pitch. McCann stayed in the game, but it was iffy for a few minutes.

Infielder Dean Anna — filling in for the hobbled Derek Jeter — was on call as the Yankees’ emergency catcher. Girardi said that Jeter, who has been nursing a tight right quad, would have come in to play shortstop.

“I would anticipate we’re probably going to make a couple of moves,” Girardi said, according to the New York Post.

McCann said his hand was “fine,” he just needed to get feeling back after a finger went numb.

Cervelli will have an MRI on his right hamstring, Girardi said. Austin Romine could be called up from Triple-A if Cervelli lands on the disabled list.